Tijuana Xolos Liga MX 2020 Clausura Recap: Xolos still winless on road with draw to Morelia
Credit: Imago7/Carlos Cuin
Morelia, Mexico
The Tijuana Xolos played their sixth game in the Liga MX 2020 Clausura season this Friday, Feb.14, against Monarcas Morelia at the Estadio Morelos. The Aztec Canines were heading into this match on a four-game winless streak and with no wins on the road this season.
That trend continued as Club Tijuana played to a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Estadio Morelos. The home team opened the scoring in Michoacan as Fernando Aristeguieta scored from a powerful one-time shot.
The scoring play happened in the blink of an eye as there was not much that the Xolos defenders were capable of doing to prevent the goal. The first half was stale with just one shot on target from each team. Morelia controlled the match with 68-percent possession as Gustavo Quinteros’ men held back and played conservatively.
Quinteros switched up his tactics in the second half as the Xolos were much more aggressive. The Argentine manager made two key substitutions in the 63rd minute as Alexis Castro replaced Kevin Balanta, and Bryan Angulo came on for Camilo Sanvezzo.
Angulo made an impact right out of the gate as he put the ball in the back of the net in the 65th minute, but the goal was ruled offside. Angulo then received an opportunity to score yet again in the 75th minute as a penalty was awarded to Club Tijuana.
The Ecuadorian striker executed the penalty to perfection as the game was tied at a goal apiece. The Xolos were the much better team in the second half but were missing that momentum in the first 45 minutes as the game ended 1-1.
The Xolos extended their winless streak to five games as the Border City Dogs are still yet to win away from home. Getting away results has been a problem for the Xoloitzcuintles, but luckily for the Xolos, their next two league games will be at the Estadio Caliente.
Club Tijuana gears up for a busy week as the border city team will face Monarcas Morelia in the Copa MX this next Tuesday, Feb. 18, and then will host Chivas at the Estadio Caliente on Friday, Feb. 21.
Xolos Lineup:Â Gibran Lajud, Vladimir Lorona, Miguel Barbieri, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez, Aldo Cruz, Kevin Balanta (63′ Alexis Castro), Christian Rivera, Ignacio Rivero, Mauro Lainez (90′ Angel Sepulveda, Miller Bolanos, Camilo Sanvezzo (63′ Bryan Angulo)
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.